Story of Masoor Dal and Kamdhenu

Masoor Dal is a popular lentil used in India to cook dals. The dal is also one of the important offering to Goddess Kali. Some Hindus do not consume masoor dal and is associated with Kamdhenu’s blood and is therefore a tamasic food. There is also a story that connects Masoor Dal with Kamdhenu, the wish fulfilling cow.

Legend has it that Sahastrabahu Arjuna tried to steal Kamdhenu, the divine cow that could confer all desires, from Sage Jamadagni's ashram. He could not take the cow away easily and therefore he attacked the divine cow with arrows.

It is said that a massor dal plant appeared wherever Kamadhenu’s blood fell on earth.

Therefore some Hindus do not eat Masoor dal.

Please note that dishes prepared from Masoor dal is today consumed by majority of Hindus although scriptures have categorized it as Tamasic food, which causes lethargy and arouses passion and temptations.